Diversity of topological palmar patterns in Iranian populations

The bilateral palmar prints of 3,158 females and males from 13 Iranian populations of diverse origins were analyzed to see how well topological palmar pattern frequencies reflect population distances. The results showed bimanual variation among most of the populations studied. Sex variation showed significant differences among all of the populations studied. Distance analysis and constructed dendrograms showed separation between the populations studied. These distances were frequently in agreement with the known ethnohistoric background of the populations studied. The male data gave better results. It appears that topological palmar patterns are a better indicator of population distance than topological finger patterns.     

Comparative analysis of dermatoglyphic traits in Hungarian and Gypsy populations

We examined dermatoglyphic prints of children in 11 Hungarian and 5 Gypsy population samples (collected from 1,998 children). We compared Hungarian and Gypsy populations based on 22 finger and 24 palmar traits. In univariate comparisons the two ethnic groups differed significantly in half of the studied variables (9 finger and 14 palmar traits). We used several types of multivariate analyses of the studied traits to separate the population samples. Homogeneity analysis and discriminant analysis proved to be the most appropriate method to distinguish the populations, whereas a principal components analysis was less adequate. Multivariate analyses were conducted separately for both finger and palmar traits. Although the differences between the populations were more pronounced for palmar traits, in our study Hungarian and Gypsy populations showed the best separation when finger and palmar traits were combined for analysis, except in the principal components analysis. As expected, the Hungarian and Gypsy populations separated definitely in most statistical analyses; the main reason for this is the different origins of the two ethnic groups. The existence of the difference also shows that admixture between Hungarians and Gypsies has been small despite their living beside one another for several centuries.     

Dermatoglyphic analysis in borderline personality disorder and schizophrenia--results of a Croatian study

Dermatoglyphic features of 52 male patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) were compared with those of 200 male controls (control group-CG) and 195 males with schizophrenia (SCH). Quantitative analysis showed statistically significant differences between BPD-CG and between BPD-SCH, mainly regarding the palmar traits, but also the 5th, the 4th and the 1st finger of the right hand as well as the 5th and the 4th finger of the left hand between BPD and SCH patients. The canonical discriminant analysis permitted correct classification with 69.84% probability between the BPD and CG and with 76.11% probability between the BPD and the SCH group. Qualitative finger and palmar traits analysis showed differences between the BPD and SCH groups on the 3rd finger of the left hand, total frequency for all fingers and in the III interdigital space. Significant differences between the BPD and CG were found on the 3rd finger of the left hand. Our results show that the dermatoglyphic features of BPD differ from those of schizophrenia and from those of control subjects. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.     

Quantitative digital and palmar dermatoglyphics: Sexual dimorphism in the Chuvashian population of Russia

With the aim of determining sex dimorphism among the Chuvashian population of Russia, digital and palmar dermatoglyphics of 547 individuals (293 males, 254 females) were analyzed. The sex differences for PII, TRC, and AFRC are similar to Indian and Jewish populations. Correlation coefficients between individual finger ridge counts are a little lower than in Jews but are almost equal to Indian populations. The Mantel test of matrix correlation between sexes for 22 traits shows a very good similarity. However, sex differences of palmar traits display different levels when compared with other human populations. In light of this, our evidence indicates the possible role of environmental (prenatal) factors in the realization of dermatoglyphic sex differences. The development of palmar dermatoglyphics has had a relatively longer growth period compared with fingers [Cummins, H., 1929. The topographic history of the volar pads (walking pads, tast ballen) in the human embryo. Embryol. 20, 103-126]. The palmar dermatoglyphic pattern of affinities therefore corresponds better than fingers to the ethno historical background of the populations, ascertained by numerous studies.     

Dermatoglyphics in cases of hypospadias: New data

Data on digital and palmar dermatoglyphics in 40 males hospitalized at the Urological Clinic of the University of Cagliari are given. Data on hypospadias patients are compared to those of 106 apparently healthy Sardinian males for digital dermatoglyphics and of 180 for palmar dermatoglyphics In hypospadias patients there is a significant decrease of patterns in the hypothenar area and an increase of radial arches in hypothenar area, while for other characteristics the differences are always not significant.     

Normal values for total hand length, palm length and middle finger length in Malaysian newborns from 34-42 weeks of gestation.

Early identification of a syndrome at birth is of paramount importance for genetic counselling and possible prevention. Often malformation of the hands and fingers are cardinal manifestations of recognizable syndromes. As there are no published standards for hand and finger size for Malay newborn infants, this study was undertaken to establish normal values for hand, middle finger and palmar lengths, and their indices. A cross-sectional study was done on 509 consecutive newborn Malay babies between 34 and 42 weeks of gestation. Measurements were made on the right hand according to the recommended guidelines of Bergsma & Feingold (1975). The mean values for the measurements did not differ significantly between boys and girls, or change with gestation. For the whole group the mean value for total hand length was 64.4 +/- 3.42 mm, middle finger length 37.1 +/- 2.91 mm, palmar length 27.4 +/- 2.15 mm, finger index 0.425 +/- 0.03 and palmar index 0.58 +/- 0.03. A comparison with published measurements for newborns of different racial origin shows significant differences for the total hand length, middle finger length and palm length from Indian and Jewish infants, but not from Japanese infants. The indices were similar in Malay, Indian, Jewish and Japanese newborn infants.     

Sexual dimorphism in the Chuvashian population of Russia in two types of dermatoglyphic traits: principal component analysis

With the aim of determining sexual dimorphism in the component structures among the Chuvashian population of Russia, finger and palmar dermatoglyphics of 547 individuals (293 males, 254 females) were analyzed. The sex differences in two categories of dermatoglyphic traits (22 quantitative traits and 38 asymmetry and diversity traits) are reflected differently and contradictory with other ethnic groups. However, a common feature of the factor 1 "digital pattern size factor" (finger ridge counts from the first category of traits) indicate its degree of universality when compared with other populations, which suggests that the variability of finger ridge counts is determined by the same genes that control the pattern types. The factors "intra-individual finger diversity factor", and "bi-lateral asymmetry factor" extracted from the second category of dermatoglyphic traits are also similar in both sexes. However, these components are hardly described in the literature. The nature of variation of these components (from two categories of dermatoglyphic traits) appears with a good similarity between sexes, which suggests their common biological validity of the underlying component structures of the finger and palmar dermatoglyphic characters.     

The dermatoglyphic and clinical features of the 9p trisomy and partial 9p monosomy syndromes

Summary The physical and dermatoglyphic features obtained from published reports of 128 patients with the trisomy 9p syndrome and 27 patients with the partial 9p monosomy syndrome are tabulated. This information is also provided on two new individuals with each of these chromosomal disorders. The dermal ridge patterns and palmar creases of trisomy 9p which are most helpful from a diagnostic standpoint are zygodactylous or absent palmar digital triradii, brachymesophalangy, reduced total finger ridge count, complex thenar/ID I patterns, transverse palmar ridge alignment, simian creases, distal axial triradii, and great toe and hallucal arch patterns. The characteristic features in partial 9p monosomy include dolichomesophalangy with accessory finger flexion creases, digital whorl patterns and elevated total finger ridge count, distal axial triradii, simian creases, and palmar dermal ridge dissociation.     

Finger dermatoglyphics of the Tibetans

Finger prints of 156 Tibetan males and 150 females have been analyzed. Whorls are more abundant in Tibetan males (60.24%) than in females (48.67%). The index of pattern intensity shows a higher value in males (15.95) than the females (14.65). The bimanual differences (both in males and females) are not statistically significant for the occurrence of pattern on the digits of the right and left hands. However, the difference between the sexes for the occurrence of patterns on the finger balls, are statistically significant. Ridge counting was done for each finger. On all fingers, Tibetan males have higher ridge-counts than females. The possible tendency for the right hands to possess higher ridge-counts cannot be demonstrated statistically. Tibetans show greater affinity with the Southern Mongoloids in the frequency distributions of pattern types on the finger balls. However, a more detailed dermatoglyphic study of all the Mongoloid populations in South East Asia, Central Asia and Far East would yield information of great value in disclosing the palmar pattern distributions among the Mongoloids.     

蒙古国喀尔喀部蒙古族4项群体指趾遗传学特征研究

在内蒙古民族大学调查了160例(男66例,女94例)来自蒙古国的喀尔喀蒙古族留学生的拇指类型、环食指长、指甲形状、足趾长4项群体指趾遗传学特征。研究结果:1)直型拇指率为44.38%,环指长率78.13%,指甲形状长型率58.75%、方型率6.88%、扁型率34.38%,足趾类型拇趾长率35.00%;2)指甲形状出现率性别间差异具统计学意义,两两特征间均未表现出明显相关关系;3)与我国10个蒙古族族群相比,多数差异具有统计学意义。     

Evaluation of hand asymmetry in relation to hand preference

We evaluated the asymmetric hand measurements in right- and left-handed individuals. 343 men and 290 women aged 18-42 years (22.11 +/- 2.07) participated in the study. There were no statistically significant differences when right-left differences in hand length, third finger length, palmar length, and the digit index value were evaluated according to hand preference and sex. Statistically significant differences were found for right-left differences in hand width, hand-shape index, and the palmar length/width according to hand preference. The strong left-handers, weak left-handers, and ambidextrous individuals in the study group all exhibited asymmetry favoring the left and were considered together. Similarly, the strong and weak right-handers exhibited asymmetry favoring the right hand and were considered together. The difference between these two groups was significant. When the data were evaluated according to sex, significant differences were found between the subgroups. In particular, right-left differences in the hand-shape index and palmar length/width values of the strong left-handers, weak left-handers, and ambidextrous individuals were found to be statistically significant according to sex; in contrast, the strong and weak right-handers showed no significant differences according to sex. These results suggest a relation of hand asymmetry to hand preference in a Turkish population.     

Dermatoglyphic variation in the human populations of the North Pennine Dales,North England. I. Sex differences,bilateral asymmetry,digital diversity and regional variation

The North Pennine Dales are sparsely populated and deeply indented valleys in the central uplands of northern England. Travel to service centres on the surrounding low lying terrain, especially to the industrial conurbations, is channelled by way of the dale mouths. Communication over the dale heads is difficult and is thus much dictated by topography and by the orientation of each dale. This paper represents the first of two reports on the finger and palmar dermatoglyphics of the populations. Basic data are presented on sex differences, bilateral asymmetry and digital diversity. Univariate statistical tests have been carried out between the dales' populations for several stages based on the selection of individuals by ancestry. Several significant differences occur but no more than would be expected by chance. Distinct spatial patterning does recur for several variables, but on the available data a univariate approach has been unsuccessful in determining the nature and causes of overall population interrelationships.     

Dermotoglyphics in the Bribri and Cabear Amerindians from Costa Rica]

Digital and palmar dermatoglyphic patterns were analysed for 286 male and female Bribri and Cabecar Amerindians of Chibcha ascendancy from four populations located in southeastern Costa Rica. There was no significant difference among Pacific and Atlantic Cabecar samples, with the exception of the bc and cd ridge count. However, the Bribri groups present differences for 22 features, though the largest differences are between Bribri and Cabecar Pacific populations. A comparison with other Latin-American indians evidence that dermatoglyphic patterns of Bribri and Cabecar tribes are within the expected range, but it is important to notice the high frequency of digital arcs and the low frequency of worls. The results are similar to those observed using other genetic markers in the same populations, and demonstrate the discriminable capacity of the dermatoglyphics to tribal level for taxonomic and evolutionary studies.     

The dermatoglyphic characteristics of two isolated Bedouin groups from South Sinai

The dermatoglyphics of the Muzeina and Gebeliya Bedouin tribes, two small biologically isolated populations, leading a similar nomadic life under the specific conditions of the Sinai desert, were studied. The differences found between the studied samples concern particularly the frequencies of palmar and finger pattern types. These differences are in agreement with data on the origin of the tribes, a Negro and/or European admixture being evident in the Gebeliya dermatoglyphics. The coefficients of variation for some quantitative dermatoglyphic traits, presumably with a polygenic determination, are lower in the Muzeina than in the Gebeliya sample. Isolation and consanguinity may exert their influence on the dermatoglyphic traits influencing the frequencies of the corresponding genes.     

Qualitative finger and palmar dermatoglyphics: sexual dimorphism in the Chuvashian population of Russia

Qualitative finger and palmar dermatoglyphics of 547 individuals (293 males, 254 females) belonging to the Chuvashian population of Russia were studied to determine sexual dimorphism. The pattern types are not uniformly distributed on 10 fingers. Sex difference is homogeneous in all fingers whereas palmar patterns reflect the better sex variations for three palmar configurational areas (II, III, and IV). This is perhaps due to embryological development, having a relatively longer growth period compared with fingers (Cummins 1929). The present results of the Chuvashian population are not similar to the results of the five Indian populations of our previous study (Karmakar et al. 2002), perhaps due to a major ethnic difference.     

Associations between dermatoglyphic variation, topography, and climate in Kenya

Correlations between a number of dermatoglyphic finger and palmar taxonomic traits relating to 57 male and 53 female Kenyan populations, and altitude and mean annual rainfall are significant, not only in terms of the full range of samples, but also when samples are divided into independent smaller groups. These results are discussed and contrasted with those of other studies which have found no relationships between dermatoglyphic variation and climate in sub-Saharan Africa.     

Diversity of C-line terminations in Iranian populations

Thirteen Iranian populations of diverse origins have been analyzed for C-line terminations, utilizing bilateral palmar prints of 3,158 individuals. Significant bimanual and male/female differences were frequently found in these populations. Interpopulational variation displayed significant heterogeneity. Distance analysis and constructed dendrograms provided separation between the populations, but the dendrograms are not in agreement with the ethnohistoric records of the populations studied.     

Quantitative palmar dermatoglyphics and the assessment of population affinities: data from marine fishermen of Puri, India

Variation in quantitative dermatoglyphics among three endogamous groups of marine fishermen of Puri Coast, India, is greater for the palmar variables than for the fingers. This is the case in both the sexes. The pattern of population affinities, however, differs for the males and females. In order to evaluate the importance of palmar variables in population studies, the results in males are compared with those of finger variables and anthropometrics. There is no significant heterogeneity between the groups for finger variables. Although significant intergroup variability is observed in the palmar and anthropometric traits, the two sets of results are not in the same direction. Palmar dermatoglyphic relationships reflect the caste affiliations, while the anthropometric are in line with geographic proximity.     

Grip pattern and finger coordination differences between pianists and non-pianists

The aim of this study was to assess differences of grip pattern and finger coordination in pianists and non-pianists, using hand tasks that were unrelated to pianistic practice. Eleven pianists with more than 10 years of intensive practice were compared to 14 non-pianists. Both groups performed four tasks with their right hand: (1) gross grip at fast velocity; (2) gross grip at slow velocity; (3) hook grip at fast velocity; and (4) hook grip at slow velocity. The three-dimensional coordinates were reconstructed using a kinematic analysis system, and the flexion and extension angles of the metacarpophalangeal joints were calculated. The phase diagrams were qualitatively and quantitatively appraised in order to identify differences between the groups. Principal component analysis was used to assess differences between pianists and non-pianists in terms of the reproducibility and regularity of palmar grip cycles. Coefficients of correlation between the joint angles were used to analyze finger coordination during the tasks. The pianists showed better reproducibility and regularity in the palmar grip pattern, as well as finger movements that were more coordinated when performing different hand tasks.     

Finger length and distal finger extent patterns in humans

The fingers in the adult human hand differ in length and in distal extent. The literature agrees that in the clear majority of males, the distal extent of the ring finger tends to be relatively greater (using the middle finger as standard) than the index finger. However, the results for females vary considerably, with some studies reporting that females show a similar pattern to that of males, while others suggest that the prevalence of a longer index finger is relatively or absolutely more common in females. We provide a review of the literature, and a set of data for both finger length and distal fingertip extent of the finger for a contemporary cohort of young adult females and males (n = 502). Finger length measures favor the ring finger of both sexes, with smaller between-finger differences for females than for males. However, while the distal fingertip extent favors the ring finger of both hands in males, in females the left hand shows no significant differences, and the right hand shows a small index finger advantage. Thus, the sexual dimorphism in finger measures is more strongly expressed in the distal extent of fingertips than in the length of fingers. The sex differences in distal fingertip extent derive from the index finger only, with a lesser distal extent of the index finger, relative to the middle finger, in males than in females.